Garter



E. S. H-ERSPERGER.

GARTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-I4, 1920.

Patented May 9, 19 22.,

Specification of Letters Patent.

snares.

Patented liliay a, 192 2.

Application filed December 14, 1920. Serial No. 430,686.

T 0 all w ham it may concern Be it known that I, ELIZABETH Hnnsrnn- GER, a citizen of the United States. residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garters, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in garters for supporting long stockings.

The primary object is to prevent tearing or otherwise injuring stockings of thin and delicate fabrics, such as silk or of the dropstitch type.

Another object is to provide a garter which will not interfere with the circulation and will only bind upon the leg when the wearer is standing or walking, it being so constructed that while sitting the tension upon the leg is automatically released, thus permitting free movement of the leg as well as comfort to the wearer in the various positions of the body.

With these objects in view, this invention includes two bands, one of which is partly non-elastic and partly elastic, the non-elastic portion being adapted to pass around the leg just below the knee, and its ends to be detachably connected to the corset suspenders in the front, at the sides of the leg, the other band being non-elastic and secured at its ends to the elastic portions of the major or previously-mentioned band, and a loop loosely connecting the non-elastic portion of the major band with the non-elastic band.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a view from the front;

Fig. 2 is a view from the rear; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the garter.

A, represents the major portion oi the garter, the main portion of which is preferably non-elastic, the same being adapted to encircle the leg at a point just below the knee. The long ends 1 and 2 are preferably made of elastic material, and provided with loops or other means 3 for attachment to the regular suspenders 4 of the corset. After passing around the leg, the elastic ends are crossed behind the knee, and have free slid ing connection with each other through a slit 5.

A secondary band 6 is attached at its ends to the elastic ends 1 and 2 of the major band, and this secondary band passes around the leg just above the knee.

inside under and at the upper edge thereof, j

and through this loop the secondary band 6 passes loosely.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the garter is not in the form of an endless band which passes around the leg at two points above and below the knee and crosses behind the latter, but, on the contrary, this garter has two distinct elastic ends which have free sliding adjustable connection with each other, the result of which is, after be ing properly adjusted as to length with respect to their attachment to the corset suspenders, the tension is such that the garter is tight around the leg and stocking immediately below the knee at all times when the person is standing or walking, but when sitting the tension is relieved upon the major portion of the garter, and the same automat ically loosens around the leg to a greater or less extent.

The secondary or minor hand 6 forms a support for the garter when the wearer is in a sitting position, thus preventing the garter from dropping from its prescribed position just below the knee, so that the moment the wearer rises and walks, the entire garter automatically re-adjusts itself to its proper position, with the required predetermined tension, and without applying pulling strain to the stocking at any point.

As a means for holding the upper portion of the stocking up in position, the usual suspender strap 9 from the rear of the corset is clasped thereto in the usual way.

In this way, a simple, inexpensive and effective garter is provided, which will hold the stocking tight and in proper position, always with the required degree of tension and without strain or discomforture, and without ever tearing or injuring the hosiery in any way, no matter how delicate or thin.

I claim: I

1. A. garter including major and secondary bands, the major band at least partly elastic, with its ends crossing and having free sliding connection with each other, its ends free and provided with means for attachment to some garment above for supporting the garter, the ends of the minor band socured to the ends of the major band, and a 100p loosely connecting the major and minor bands together, said major hand adapted to embrace the leg below, and the minor band alcove the Wearers knee.

2. A garter including a major band, a portion of Which is non-elastic and the ends elastic said ends crossing each other and having free sliding connection with each other, its ends free and having means for attachment to a suitable support, a non-elastic minor band secured at its ends to the elastic portions of the major band, and means extending from the non-elastic portion of the major band with Which the minor band has free sliding connection.

In testimon whereof I n1 si natlne. 15

ELIZABETH S. HERSPERGEE. 

